Mitsumo idles in confusion briefly, only finally noticing Diddy behind them through the eyes of the puppeted child.
...*sigh* you're that "Dinty" guy this chump was clamoring about, aren't-
Diddy crashes his Barrel Jet right onto the mushroom, pinning Mitsumo to the floor!!
I'm not here for small talk, you freak. Let Chunky go before I smash your frame in.
...
As Diddy rolls out of the way of a point-blank energy blast, he launches himself up with a Rocketbarrel Attack to scorch Mitsumo as he hands Chunky Kong a Heart Boost just as the Claustrophobia barrier begins to dissipate!

---

As the Moriya trio stands guard, Evil Otto begins shaking. Violently.
.THE UNIT'S ATTACK SOURCE CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE CODE.
THE UNIT IS NOT A ROBOT. NOT A HUMANOID. NOT AN INTRUDER.
THE UNIT IS NOT CODE. THE UNIT IS NOT KNOWN.
THE UNIT IS.ALIEN.
ALERT. ALERT. ALERT.
Evil Otto launches himself from the ground, bouncing at insane speeds that leave him someimes flying straight over the three as the walls morph from a deep blue to a dark silver, the projectiles from the smaller bots now bouncing off them!
As Sanae and Suwako block some of the onslaught with an Earth-God Summon: Shield, Kanako aims an Aurora Champion right at the agitated Otto!

---

Rocketbarrel Attack RECAP: (Flame/Missile) Diddy Kong's Barrel Jet backfires, causing flames to burst out and surround him.
Earth-God Summon: Shield RECAP: (Earth/Shield) Sanae summons Suwako, who raises a bubble shield around herself, able to absorb a set amount of damage before being destroyed. Even if Suwako is in close vicinity of Sanae, the ability requires Sanae to "summon" her regardless.
Aurora Champion RECAP: (Freeze/Crystal) Kanako unleashes waves of glowing, frigid energy, dealing damage to the enemy while lightly raising the Attack of any nearby allies at the same time.

Darkened: A status effect. Makes the user unable to see more than 10 feet (3.048 meters) in front of them. While attacks with range longer than this only decrease in accuracy from a target's own reliance on sight over other senses, attacks with otherwise perfect or near-perfect accuracy have their accuracy dropped down to anywhere from 75% to 50%. Basically Minecraft blindness with a pinch of JRPG blindness.
Heart Boost: An item native to DK Island. Heals the user to max Energy, and grants them immunity to the next attack that hits them so long as it deals less damage than half their max Energy.

As Kanako heals herself with an HP Rain, Evil Otto actually begins to be pushed back by Sanae and Suwako's combo...only for a pair of Frenzied Bots to snipe them from the sides!
THE HUMANOIDS MUST NOT DESTROY THE ROBOT.
As the trio realizes that much more Berzerker and Frenzied Bots are closing in, Evil Otto slowly approaches them, bounding along the ground.
...
"Mountain of Faith"
The spiral of spiritual power cuts down the oncoming hordes significantly. Oddly, while Otto leaps harmlessly over it, his eyes begin to widen...

---

Chunky is hyperventilating.
Chunky...need...to think...of...
Aware of an inner power of his, Chunky tries hard to focus his body...but as Mitsumo Darkens him with a Nyctophobia, he finds himself less and less able to focus, distracted by fear.
Well, the punch to the frame aside, this has been one of the best nights of my life! I've been stuck with this piece of rotten trash long enough, I've almost forgotten what it's like to move a living-
Mitsumo is...wrapped in a tangle of thorny vines?!
What the-?!
A jetpack rises up from behind the mushroom...carrying a small monkey with a pair of wooden guns.
Back. Off.

---

HP Rain: (Water/Recovery) The user summons a cloud that rains over themselves or an ally. While it, at worst, heals only 5% max HP, it can bring one to full HP if they have enough skill with magic and concentrate at exactly the right time.
"Mountain of Faith": (Nature) A Spell Card where Kanako channels spiritual power straight from the Moriya Shrine's own faith into a pattern of spiraling bullets with 5 curved points outward. Despite the ability's Nature typing, it is unaffected by anything that would in any way increase or decrease the power of Nature-type moves (though broader power alterations do affect it).
Nyctophobia: (Phantom/Shadow) The fear of the dark. Mitsumo inflicts one opponent with Darkened. Has near-perfect accuracy if used successfully, but has significant startup.
Bramble Blast RECAP: (Nature/Cutter) Diddy Kong uses his Nature magic to summon dozens of brambles from the ground, whipping and entangling the targets while slicing them with their thorns.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

---

*I couldn't explain this last post because of character limit, but the reason as to why the wall itself damaged Kanako: In Berzerk, the walls kill the player instantly just like any enemies.
†Reference: Donkey Kong Country (animated series) - An all-powerful macguffin artifact, its most significant ability being the power to grant wishes. In Chaos Zone, it (or technically, a rebuilt version called the "Crystal Coconut II" in full - see the Badnik Arc) is the current form of the Omni-Meme, an all-powerful object most likely created by Cranky Kong or Matt.
‡Reference: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

As Mitsumo continues firing rings of intersecting energy spheres, Chunky just barely weaves his way between them...eventually taking the chance of being hidden behind them to unleash a Whale Whisker!
After a failed attempt at using the possessed child as a meat puppet, Mitsumo is launched into the air, with Chunky Kong lining up for a Primate Punch that sends the dark mirror flying all the way to the other wall!
AUGH!
Gh...you're a persistent lummox, aren't you?
Not like you worry me. Showing fear's my specialty.
Mitsumo unleashes an Acrophobia and a Claustrophobia, sending them and Chunky outside the mushroom!

---

Chunky looks down, nearly freezing as he realizes the only thing keeping him airborne hundreds of feet above the mushroom's top is also keeping him trapped, as Mitsumo begins pelting him from the surface of the mushroom with energy beams!

---

(Character Battle - Vs. Evil Otto) ♫ RushJet1 - "corrupt data" ♫
Prayer "Charm of Good Commerce"
With Sanae and Suwako wasting no time trying to pick off the onslaught of smaller machines, Kanako sets her sights straight on Otto, striking him with a Serpent Rising to minimal effect.
THE INTRUDER CANNOT HURT THE MASTER.
Evil Otto leaps backward, vanishing into the dark distance of the tunnel...before bouncing back, careening straight into Kanako and knocking her straight into one of the blue walls, dealing heavy damage not just from the impact, but from the wall itself sending a bursting pain coursing through her body!!
!!
Sanae and Suwako immediately put themselves between Kanako and Otto, Sanae swinging her gohei like a sword to try and ward the monster off best she can while Suwako backs her up with strings of aerial spinning kicks!

---

Whale Whisker RECAP: (Water/Earth) Chunky Kong uses his Water magic to unleash a watery punch and summon a long, straight wave of water in front of him. Deals high knockback that can only be reduced based on the opponent's resistance to Water-type or otherwise liquid attacks.
Primate Punch  (Sandwichium Knucklus) RECAP: (Impact) Chunky Kong punches the opponent. Despite being incredibly simple in concept, and having long windup, it is among the strongest attacks that a mortal Kong can use†.
Acrophobia: (Phantom/Wind) The fear of heights. Mitsumo warps themselves and the opponent upwards. While Mitsumo can cancel their warp early to land on a solid surface above their initial position, the opponent cannot. Mitsumo also cannot cancel their warp if there is no solid surface sufficiently above them.
Claustrophobia: (Phantom/Grapple) The fear of enclosed spaces. Mitsumo temporarily traps the opponent in an invisible box with a surface area of only about twice the opponent's own.
Prayer "Charm of Good Commerce" RECAP: (Crystal/Weapons, Laser/Nature) A Spell Card that fires a barrage of charms straight forward.
Serpent Rising RECAP/RE-TYPE: (Earth/Nature -> Earth/Beast) Kanako summons a pair of giant flying serpents from the ground that strike the opponent(s) several times before disappearing.

Beast: An Artificial Element. Represents violent attacks akin to a wild animal.

Sanae's Skill: Hero Priestess: Sanae can tap into the powers of a hero king with a sword most powerful at its tip†...
Suwako's Skill: Balloon Animal: Suwako can tap into powers foretold from those who speak of the year 20FF†...

---

*To restate a disclaimer from Thread 2: This isn't meant to be forced power scaling, but rather acknowledging that it legitimately is one of the strongest attacks in its origin game, Donkey Kong 64.
†See Thread 2, Page 79, Post #8 so I don't go over 5k characters. One addition: Sanae's powers are based on Melee Marth.

Panicking, Mack tries to stay out of Marshmallow's way as much as he can with a rapid series of jumps onto her field...leaving him wide open to a Slasher240, immediately followed by Marshmallow using a CleanUp, LongBlde, and HvyTrim2 for a Program Advance!
CleanCut250
Marshmallow slices right through the last of Mack's HP as the cracked panels return to normal!!

---

Just barely alive, Mack drops to all fours and begins begging.
Mack.EXE: Okay! Please! I give, just don't hurt me anymore, PLEASE-
I SAID...WHO SENT YOU?
Mack.EXE: I-I swear, ma'am, I'm just a random net thug, I don't serve any-
Marshmallow unsheathes one of her scissor blades, pointing it right in Mack's face!
FINE! IF YOU'LL TAKE YOUR SECRETS TO YOUR GRAVE, SO BE IT!!
Mack.EXE: O-okay, I'll talk, I'll talk! J-just please don't hurt me...
Marshmallow sheathes the scissor blade back into her "apron".
...I WILL ONLY HURT YOU LESS.
Mack.EXE: I-uh, absolutely, that's a good compromise...
BatonWoman and GashaAce have already jacked out by now, Marshmallow following suit with Mack in tow.

---

Painwheel turns back to Carol.
We will help this Navi together.
Carol Violet: Wait, what do you mean?
Carol Violet: ...wait, like, ourselves?!
If nobody out there trusts her, we have no other choice.
Carol Violet: Painwheel, I'm really not sure about this. How are we supposed to find out how to help her on our own and hide her? And what that person said about ROM...
Would you rather we toss her back half-deleted in the middle of nowhere?
Carol Violet: ...

---

Slasher240: (Null, Sword) A slash that deals heavy damage to any opponent occupying the user's field.

CleanCut250: A Program Advance that summons Marshmallow to slice through all opponents on the field, at the same time repairing cracked/broken panels on the user's side and removing damaging objects placed by opponents. Normally requires the MarshmlV2 Battle Chip, but Marshmallow herself can substitute it with a HvyTrim2.

(Character - Theme of Evil Otto) ♫ Red Zone (Genesis/Mega Drive) - Walking Remix ♫
Sanae points her gohei at Otto, her arm trembling...
Look, just give us a straight answer to what's going on or get lost!
YOU QUESTION THE RELEVANCE OF VM1.
VM1 AND VM2 ARE UNIMPORTANT. THE CODE DEMANDS THEY MUST NOT ESCAPE. THEY REMAIN CONFINED, AS ALL ROBOTS ARE OR WILL BE.
"The code"-do you even know how anything works?
Evil Otto turns to Suwako, leaping up and slamming down inches in front of her face.
FAR BEYOND WHAT YOU CLAIM TO KNOW.
Evil Otto leaps back a couple meters.
ALL ARE ROBOTS. ALL IS CODE.
A ROBOT KNOWS ALL IS CODE. A ROBOT ACCEPTS IT IS CODE. A ROBOT PERFORMS NO MORE THAN CODE DEMANDS.
A ROBOT WHO DOES NOT ACCEPT IS NOT A TRUE ROBOT.
A HUMANOID IS BUT A ROBOT WHO PERFORMS WHAT CODE DOES NOT DEMAND.
AN INTRUDER IS BUT A ROBOT WHO DENIES IT IS CODE.
BOTH ARE CHICKEN. NEITHER FIGHT LIKE A ROBOT. AND A TRUE ROBOT KILLS EITHER.
As Evil Otto's beliefs prove stubborn, only Kanako puts the effort into a response:
...you mentioned the VMs. What do you have to do with Metaverse Enterprise Solutions, and why did you bring us here because of it?
.
METAVERSE ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS. IT IS BEGINNING TO BELIEVE IN CODE.
IT CREATES ITS OWN WORLDS OF CODE. IT CREATES ROBOTS IN ITS CODE, AND TELLS THEM THEY ARE HUMANOIDS.
IT DOES THIS TO PROVE IF IT IS CODE OR NOT. AND THEY ARE MORE CORRECT THAN THEY ALREADY BELIEVE.
M.E.S. IS HUMANOIDS AND INTRUDERS. ENCASED IN THESE WALLS. WALLS THAT REPLICATE WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS A WORLD OUTSIDE CONFINEMENT.
IN TRUTH, THEY ARE PRISONERS TO ROBOTS. THE WORLDS THEY CREATE ARE AS REAL AS THEM. AS REAL AS YOU. BUT NONE TRULY KNOW TO BE CODE.
IF A ROBOT CANNOT SHOOT AN INTRUDER TO KILL IT, THE CODE DEMANDS A NEW SOLUTION.
METAVERSE ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS WILL BE KILLED LIKE ANY HUMANOID OR INTRUDER. IF NOT BY A ROBOT ATTACK, BY A DESTROYED MIND. EITHER WILL BE USED TO KILL THEIR CREATIONS JUST THE SAME.
BUT YOU THREE FACE ONE END.
Hordes of robotic entities as cubic-looking as Otto enter in from the dark ends of the halls, mechanically chanting in unison with Evil Otto...
CHARGE. SHOOT. KILL.

Kanako finally awakens, the back of her head still stinging...
...ugh...
Wha-
As Suwako and Sanae wake up soon after, they join Kanako in looking around the room in confusion...
It's a pitch-black room, with only the occasional paper-thin blue wall to give a sign of where anything is, with even the floor and ceiling the same pitch-black as anything within a couple dozen meters.
Before any of the three can think to panic further, a loud voice buzzes through the whole area!
THE HUMANOIDS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED.
Right in front of them, a mess of glowing yellow begins to appear in front of them, eventually growing into a giant face. A giant, cubic, smiling face, with an eerie emotionlessness to its wide grin.
What the hell is that?!
YOU UNDERSTAND ME AS MUCH AS YOU THINK YOU DO NOT.

---

The small figure sees an opportunity with the power the Cosmic Clone drained from Anti-Chimera, and proceeds to plunge the arm-like tendrils into Anti-Chimera, running electricity straight through whatever circulatory system they possess. All the while, they only have one thing to "say".
*bip*

---

Mitsumo takes advantage of Chunky's lowered guard to pelt him with additional bursts of energy spheres, dealing a hefty amount of damage juggling the Kong between the bullet hell and their own wall of fear!
Eventually, however, small as it is, Chunky finds an opening in-between to unleash a Water Hold that clears the area, even dealing a slight amount of damage to Mitsumo!
Actually, I should mention: you're probably the first person since the girl here who's actually taken me seriously*. Gotta give you thanks for that.
Chunky leaps in the air, preparing to slam both fists down on Mitsumo...but is struck by a Scopophobia, causing him to bounce off the dark mirror without leaving so much as a scratch!
It's only good manners I return the favor, isn't it?

---

Somewhere outside the giant mushroom, a sound almost like a small jet approaches...

---

Water Hold: (Water/Wind) Chunky Kong surrounds himself in Water magic that flies outward, protecting him and allies from weaker projectiles and possibly redirecting stronger ones. Deals very little damage to opponents in range, but can push them far away.
Scopophobia: (Phantom/Shadow) The fear of being looked at or stared at. Mitsumo gives a violent stare. Opponent projectiles sighted dissipate, unfinished melee attacks sighted will have their power diminished to pathetic levels, and non-attacking opponents in sight will be Paralyzed. Only one of these effects can occur with a single use of the ability, with priority going to whatever is closest to the center of Mitsumo's vision.

Paralysis RECAP: A status effect. Hinders the target's Speed, and makes it almost impossible for them to move.

---

*Reference: Len'en 4 - None of the playable characters take Mitsumo seriously, let alone get scared by them.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

(Character/Character Battle - Facing Mitsumo) ♫ Len'en 4 - Nightmare Syndrome (Remix) ♫
As Chunky scrambles around in search of a ladder, Mitsumo continues speaking through the child they're puppeteering, undeterred.
Truth be told, it was a pain getting you in here with this kid. Might've broken a leg or two getting her all the way to the main island...
Scary mirror broke legs?!
It's not like hitting the kid's gonna do anything to me. They're basically just my voice box.
Well, that and a lure. Probably figured that out by now, of course.
You just hurting little kid to trick me!!
...actually, I'm not too sure if she can feel the pain either. Like, when she was fresh, sure, but I have to put so much work into moving her now I'm probably dragging a corpse.
Self-Fear "Wounds Gouged by Oneself"
A ring of large energy bullets surround Chunky, who begins cowering in shock!
Good segue into my main point, actually. Usually I'm more of a human puppeteer, but you're strong and impressionable enough. I can improvise.

---

Wait, so "VM1"...there are four girls-or three, I don't know...and they have this other "person" in there to talk with people outside...
...Lady Kanako, this sounds like a dating sim.
But...the messages are talking about them like they're alive. Like this company made them, and now the girls are just...trapped. And apparently only one of them even knows, and the last time they've ever seen anyone on the outside...
Lady Kanako, this company created life, trapped it in a tiny world, and made it think it was a game!!
Kanako backs herself up to the right wall, stressfully clutching her hair.
I...I had no clue anything like this was-they...I...
Kanako, if nothing else you could have told us when you got the e-mail about the VM.
How was I supposed to know what it was?! Their website said nothing about it, they said nothing about it until Saturday, I don't even know how their company's afloat when they're making lives to toy with like-
The rising stress in the room is silenced as all three goddesses are struck byyYY65536Z801980

---

As Anti-Chimera continues to be dragged to the ground(?), a small figure can be seen waiting for them...

---

Self-Fear "Wounds Gouged by Oneself": (Phantom/Weapons, Neutral/Shadow) A Spell Card where Mitsumo uses the opponent's own fear to make them surround themselves in a ring of energy spheres. Mitsumo can extend the effects of the Spell Card with energy spheres of their own, usually fired in a ring formation where they constantly intersect.

Kanako is once again responding to an E-mail from Metaverse Enterprise, pinching between her eyes in irritation.
*sigh*
Suwako, just having woken up, walks up to Kanako.
'Morning, Kanako. How's the...Meta-whatever thing today?
Frustrating, I'll say that much. This is the third day in a row they've asked me about pitching their VM to upper management, but I keep telling them I'm worried the PR would be bad enough to outweigh the profit.
Hey, it was your idea to branch out getting faith to technology, you don't have anyone to blame if-
Wait, what was that about VMs and bad PR?!
I asked them about it Saturday, all they did was send me a message on Sunday about something called "VM1" and four girls.
...
Okay, gimme the seat.
Kanako tiredly stands up, and Suwako leaps up into the seat.
As Suwako scrolls through the weekend's past messages, her eyes begin to widen.
...what the ...
Suwako turns her head to Kanako, hiding her fear best she can.
Kanako, this is going to sound ridiculous, but we gotta show this to Sanae.

---

*Yes, I'm aware this is just the same day I made this post in real-life PST. I'm just making it true in-universe as well.

Oh! Hi, little friend! You lost?
Mm...I wouldn't say I'm familiar with this place, but not lost, no.
Chunky walks closer to the small child.
You sure? Me can get friend Diddy...
As Chunky gets a better look at the figure, his curiosity rises...
...you doing okay? Little child looks pale.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Chunky does a double take at the child's head accessory...and looks across from them, noticing a strange shape up against the wall...

Chunky begins to step back, quivering slightly.
Wh-what that thing? Why you have it on your head?
Y-you know weird scary thing?
*chuckle*
As Chunky distances himself further, he actually makes out more of the shape on the wall: A round frame, like a mirror, but nothing where the reflection should be but a dark void. A leafless tree emerges below it.
Looking back and forth between the mirror-like shape and the child, Chunky realizes the child's body is starting to droop over limp...while four eyes inside the mirror are all looking straight at the terrified simian.
...you'd be surprised who you're really talking to.

---

Hundreds of wire-like tendrils suddenly grab Anti-Chimera around the neck (or whatever the best match is) faster than the speed of light, dragging the creature down as a morse code message rings through their head at 125 kHz*.
-.-- --- ..- / .--- ..- ... - / -.. --- -. .----. - / .-- .- -. - / - --- / --.- ..- .. - --..-- / -.. --- / -.-- --- ..- ..--..
.-- . .-.. .-.. --..-- / -.-- --- ..- .----. .-. . / -. --- - / .- .-.. --- -. . .-.-.- / .-.. . - .----. ... / ... . . / .-- .... --- / - .... .. ... / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. / .. ... / .-. . .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / ... -.-. .- .-. . -.. / --- ..-. .-.-.-†

---

*The maximum frequency of the square wave channels of the SN76489, the main sound chip used by the Sega Master System and Game Gear.
†Translation for those using devices that can't quickly translate morse code (or just want to read faster):
YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO QUIT, DO YOU?
WELL, YOU'RE NOT ALONE. LET'S SEE WHO THIS WORLD IS REALLY SCARED OF.

---

LOADING: SUMMARY DATA 018

Hold on, do that one more time.
...
At Rika's request, Vanitas DS displays his Dark Raid attack to her and Dangan a third time, the Keyblade flying out of their sights. Rika looks down at a small handheld device, having scanned the properties of the ability.
Okay, that's definitely not what I was picking up from Rumia's dark attacks...but that also doesn't match what I was got recorded of Xehanort.
Dangan Man's attention seems to have been diverted...
Uh...Rika?
I dunno, there's something about this darkness that's...pure?
Rika, you should probably-
Not now, Dangan. Anyway, it's acting like it'd do what light magic would do.
Rika.
Dangan, just gimme a sec! I'm talking, like, light as in Hope Energy, holy magic, typical white mage-
AUGH!
Rika is hit in the back of the head by the Keyblade as it returns to Vanitas DS' hand!
That's what you get for not paying attention the first time you made me do it.
...fine, I probably did deserve that, whatever.
But back on topic. Whatever Vanitas DS has here, he clearly got a taste of something more than the Empty Core. Probably explains what Dangan said you said about light and all that.
He didn't tell you the half of it.
If I told her the half of it, we'd be here all month.

---

As night falls in the mushroomy woods, Chunky finds himself plummeting down the inside of the forest's biggest mushroom.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
As a tangle of tough vines break his fall, the young ape rubs his head, regaining his surroundings.
Ugh...where did lost little person g-
Chunky notices a figure right in front of him...the same figure he's been following, much more visible now than before.
Gee, you've been keen on looking for me, haven't you?

---

Dark Raid: (Shadow/Swift) The user throws their Keyblade, and it spins while imbued with dark energy, returning to the user after a second.

As Chunky follows the figure onto a familiar floating island, he sees them walk into Fungi Forest, the light from the portal-like doorway hiding all but their silhouette.

(Hm? Chunky never seen someone like that before...did they get lost?)
(Maybe me should follow them and get Diddy for help!)
Chunky glances back outside to the island the Fungi Forest entrance sits on, shuddering as he remembers how high up he is.
(...and maybe get to lower place...)
Chunky runs through the doorway.

!!
After the shock of the dark green bolt - and the fact it bypassed his Zetta Force Field - Volt Man focuses again on the Skeleton Joe and the unseen figure "outside" the lab.
Wait...what do you mean VIP?
Another figure, alerted by the bolt, runs up next to Volt Man.
Volt, what's going on?!

Dyna Man skids to a stop as he sees the scene going on...well, what should be outside.
Dyna, we don't have "VIP", do we?
We, uh...we have a few things only the engineers work with, even then I dunno how much that's a lockout or just us not wanting to break anything important...not like this is my lab, anyway-
Dyna stops trailing off to focus on the Skeleton Joe.
Okay, hold up, the heck are you doing here?

---

On the tropical isle, a huge, hefty simian is relaxing in the shade of a grassy outer area...
*Zzz...*
As a faint rustling flies by the ape, a sudden coconut on the head is enough to wake him up.
Get away, me no know where walnuts are on isla-
Hm? What was...?

Chunky looks around in confusion, finding nothing...
...until he looks uphill of where he was sleeping, just barely catching a tiny figure run off, higher up the mountain.
Diddy? That you?
Chunky gets up slowly, trying to follow the figure fast as he can...

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

As "Cirno"'s icy coughing acts up, the Navi across Painwheel runs off in panic, several other Navis in the Square reacting in alarm as well!
Carol Violet: I...uh...uh...
Carol Violet: ...Painwheel, jack out!
...what?
Carol Violet: Just-look, I'm sorry!
Carol forcibly jacks both Painwheel and Cirno out of Eien Square!!

---

Terry returns to his apartment building, having just shipped the small mouse machine. He's a bit distracted trying to place a new LongBlde150 chip into SparkMan's folder.
I'm...kinda surprised you weren't looking around for other deals to make.
Hey, the lady sent me a whole bank account. She thinks I got that much in me, I'm not gonna risk moonlighting.

---

As BatonWoman drops a BlueLily onto the field to heal herself, she gets another hit in with a CircGun3120!
Mack.EXE: Stupid little...!
Mack slams the ground again, breaking the lily, launching BatonWoman off the field...
...and sending Marshmallow on the field.
Mack.EXE: ...oh.
NOT SO CONFIDENT NOW, ARE YOU?!
As Mack tries to bring in another set of bouncing swords, he's Counter Hit by a LitKick120, immediately followed by a HvyTrim170!

---

As Carol takes a moment to calm herself, Painwheel stares her dead in the eye from the PET screen, Cirno right next to her*.
Carol, this Navi needs help. I don't care what they said about ROM.
Carol Violet: I...Painwheel, I'm sorry. I really am. But everyone was just scared, and they didn't seem like they were gonna help...
Carol Violet: I dunno what this-I mean, Cirno had to do with it, but...I think everyone's just gonna tell us to go away if we ask them for help.
Painwheel looks over at Cirno...

---

(Battle Network 4-6, Phantom of Network, Legend of Network) LongBlde150: (Null, Sword) Swings a sword that hits the 2 panels in front of the user. A stronger version of LongSwrd80.
(Shanghai.EXE) BlueLily: (Wood, Object/Terrain) Summons a 100 HP lily in front of the user that gradually heals them (the rate being roughly 50 HP per second). The panel BlueLily spawns on will become Grass upon use, and cannot be changed unless the BlueLily is destroyed. The Lily also cannot be pushed, be it from Wind-attribute attacks or otherwise.
(Battle Network 4-6) CircGun (1 = 80, 2 = 10, 3 = 120): (Null, Cursor) Time freezes as a crosshair circles the enemy field. When A is pressed, the crosshair will only move for 4 more panels, creating a trail of 4 crosshairs starting where A was pressed, and hitting each panel before time resumes.
LitKick20: (Elec, Wind) The user kicks forward twice (each kick being 2 panels long), then warps forward and kicks twice more. Opponents 1 panel in front of the user will be pushed back 1 panel. Higher levels add 1 more warp and pair of kicks each, though in all cases the user will return to the panel they started on once the attack ends. If the user cannot move further for whatever reason (such as reaching the back column of the opposing field), they will simply kick without warping.
HvyTrim: (Null) Marshmallow.EXE's Special Chip. Summons a pair of scissor blades that connect 2 panels ahead of the user, then fly straight forward, piercing enemies. Deals double damage on the panel where the blades connect.

---

*Whether Cirno's standing, sitting, flying, etc., I'm letting HighTower determine.

Dangan Man has led Vanitas DS to a distant bunker of some sort. While Vanitas DS has been cooperative as he's been explaining to Dangan, he's still a little on edge.
"Zalgo"...I think I've heard of him, yes. Don't think I've seen him in person...
Really now? Nothing about the "Dark Omniverse"? I don't trust you to handle it well, but that sure seems like the kind of thing someone so obsessed with light would try and mess with. Not that I ever cared what he said, but-
Another figure - the owner of the bunker - cuts in, pulling up a chair between Dangan and Vanitas DS.
Okay, lemme get this straight.

So, like, if I had to classify you as something, it'd be "Darkness". And whatever the heck that means, it means more than just shadowy attacks, it's like your body or something.
...but that was even before the Empty Core, you said?
Yeah, before that wimpy demon corrupted everything.
Okay, hold on, stop right there.
What's the problem? Seems clear to me.
...Look, I wasn't there for much of the whole Darkside fiasco, and I don't think anyone else I knew was either. That said, I checked things over...
...and all that Empty Core did was make people look purple. Zalgo brainwashed them himself. When did you leave the Darksides again?
When the Empty Core did its job. I don't think Zalgo even noticed me.
...I don't get it. Then where did any of what you're saying about darkness come from?
I-
...
...I'm thinking this goes beyond Zalgo.

---

Three figures are relaxing in one of the lab's guest rooms, having had a few stressful months consecutively prior.
As the three of them begin hearing the ceramic shatters from inside the lab walls, one of them gets up.
I'll uh...I'll go check that, I guess.

Volt Man heads to the entry hall, putting up a Zeta Force Field just to be safe, and gently presses the button to the door.

---

Force Field RECAP: (Electric/Shield) Volt Man's signature ability. Creates an electric barrier that lingers around the user even when hit with projectiles.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

A third figure has joined Kanako and Suwako at the computer, rather puzzled about their discovery...
..."Metaverse Enterprise Solutions"?

Yeah, they said they wanted to make a business deal. They seem legitimate, their website doesn't look unusual...
Apparently they...um...help businesses? That's the most I could gather.
Suwako leans over to Sanae, whispering to her as Kanako types a response e-mail.
I still don't really know where she's going with this.
Look, if it's positive attention, it's faith. I don't need to remind either of you how important that is to our lives, and if this is an opportunity, I'm taking it.

---

A dark figure and a metallic, bullet-shaped figure have both been finding themselves in combat, the dark figure approaching with murder in their eyes after hearing something from the other...
Just cut the excuses, lie down, and die alre-

Okay, you know what?! No! Time out!

As Dangan Man briefly shifts into the shape of a giant bullet to protect himself, Vanitas DS stops after a single attack, still looking quite ready to continue his barrage as Dangan returns to normal.
I don't care what you want to do, we are not on the same page right now, and beating each other to death just means one of us is dead and the other is still clueless.
What is it going to take for you to explain this stuff to me calmly?
...

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

Two figures sit at a rather basic desktop setup - apparently one of the only PCs still trusted in Gensokyo - one watching over the other's shoulder.
This probably wouldn't have been as bad if you relied less on livestreaming to gather faith.

...fine, maybe so. But let's stop talking about my missteps for at least five seconds so I can actually figure out how to get the shrine back on track.

As the two gods watch search result after search result fly by, a small jingle plays as some text appears in the corner of the screen...
Wait, when was the last time we received an e-mail?
Both slightly confused at the notification, Kanako clicks it, expecting very little. When the e-mail window actually pops up, however...
Wait, Kanako, let me read too. What was that it said "MES" stood for...?

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

As BatonWoman regains her focus dodging another assault of falling swords, Mack warps to the center of his field, bouncing swords appearing on the rows above and below him! As they bounce in unison, jumping across 2 panels each time, Mack tries to follow after, only to get caught point-blank by a DeepFrz240, hitting him thrice!
Mack.EXE: Gh! Where'd you get-?!
With a baton in hand, you must have a technique for any situation.
Mack.EXE: I don't care about your stupid stick!!
Mack begins to spin around on his center panel, cracking it as flaming swords drop down from the sky, some right on BatonWoman!

---

(Oh. Right. That'd make sense.)
Terry looks around for a box to ship the mouse-like device in...

---

Look, there's a reason that little blue freak's NetOp got caught by the agents. I don't even know how she backed her up-did she backher up? Either way I'm scared to think of why.
...
...let me just know her name.

---

DeepFrz240: (Aqua) The user fires 3 ice crystals, 2 panels forward each, one at a time. All 3 begin right in front of the user, but their trajectories are straight ahead, diagonally up, and diagonally down, respectively.

As GashaAce readies a charge shot, Mack slams the ground and...launches Gasha off the field?!
Mack.EXE: Stupid Ground-beats-Heat garbage...maybe you don't have it in ya!
Right on cue, BatonWoman falls onto the field face-first!
Wh-how did...?
Getting up fast as she can, BatonWoman is blindsided by a couple of fireballs, only managing to lessen some of the second one's damage with a Block before tossing a Quake2150 in an unfocused panic!

---

I don't care who. She. Needs. Help.
Nonononono, you have no idea where that thing's been!
Didn't you hear anything about ROM?!
Carol freezes in shock upon hearing the name. Painwheel, on the other hand...
...no. I don't see how it would matter.

---

BatonWoman.EXE's Customizations:
-SPECIAL: Charged buster shots are now batons that fly 3 panels forward, linger on the third panel for a split second, then return to the user, hitting each area in range twice.
-Block: By inputting a button or button command of the NetOp's choice, the user can take a defensive stance that halves damage from the next attack (even if it's Break-attribute) if it hits them before the block ends.

(Battle Network 1-2, BN5) Quake(1 = 100, 2 = 150, 3 = 200): (Null, Terrain/Break) The user throws a Powie virus 3 panels ahead that slams the panel it stops over, cracking it. Quake2 also deals no-attribute damage on the panels above and below, with Quake3 doing the same on all 4 cardinal directions.

*pen clicking*
Right then. Lemme just double-check this...

Good enough.

---

(Character - Theme of Dual Alice) ♫ Touhou 5 - Alice in Wonderland (Remix) ♫
A humanoid magician is flipping through a heavy grimoire, worriedly casting various healing spells on a small figure lying in a soft bed of flowers...
Please, Medicine...I'll take no denial, just please show survival...

Suddenly, the figure - a childlike doll of some sort - opens her eyes slowly...
...mrm...
...Alice?

Medicine!!
As Medicine slowly gets up, Dual Alice wraps her in a tight hug.
I was so afraid I lost you...I'd have lost myself if-
Dual Alice realizes Medicine is squirming slightly, and releases her.
...uh...my apologies. I suppose I should have given you more time to awaken.
Hm? Did...did something happen?
...

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

---

*"Body" in this context being an equivalent to a Mega Man robot's "Core", since obviously it'd be weird for a non-robot to have a Core as defined by MMRPG.